Prediction of the static fracture strength of hole notched plain weave CFRP composites

This study aims to investigate the effect of hole-notch size and the specimen width on the notched strength of woven carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites. It is found that a notch sensitivity coefficient can be modeled as a function of the specimen geometry and the mechanical properties. From the experimental results, the values of σN∞/σu can be represented only as a function of do/R. Subsequently, a predictive model for the fracture strength of hole-notched specimens is proposed.

► We investigated the effect of the specimen geometries on strength of composites.
► Woven CFRP composite specimen was prepared with different widths and hole sizes.
► We obtained failure strengths of prepared specimens by static fracture test.
► We proposed a predictive model of failure strength using test results and theories.